LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Take a moment to save a life

Friday

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, but it can be prevented! September is National Suicide Prevention Month, with National Suicide Prevention week occurring Sept. 8-14.

I lost my younger brother, Junior, to suicide in 1997 at age 22. Bipolar disorder runs in my family, and I've been labeled with Bipolar II disorder.

Throughout Suicide Prevention Month, I'll be urging my public officials to prioritize suicide prevention and mental health and to "Be the Voice" for the millions of Americans affected by suicide each year.

To prevent suicide, we need to:

1. Invest in suicide prevention research within the National Institute of Mental Health at a level equal to the suicide problem in our country

2. Strengthen oversight for mental health parity at the state and federal levels